The norm of liver size according to ultrasound in children

It’s crucial to comprehend the fundamentals of what’s normal when it comes to a child’s health. One significant issue that parents may have is the size of their child’s liver, which can frequently be measured with an ultrasound. This test aids in the doctors’ assessment of whether everything is progressing as planned.

Children’s liver size varies according to their age and overall growth. It’s crucial to understand that an adolescent’s normal may differ from that of a toddler. A clear, non-invasive method for measuring the liver and looking for any indications of problems is to use ultrasounds.

This post will describe the typical ranges for liver size based on ultrasound findings and discuss the importance of these measurements for your child’s health. Parents can feel less anxious and more prepared for routine checkups by being aware of these numbers.

Features of the structure and functioning of the liver

The liver is an organ that is responsible for performing a variety of functions in the body. These include: the synthesis of certain hormones, detoxification of decay products and chemical toxins, participation in hematopoiesis, the formation of bile, maintaining immunity and many others. Determining the size of the liver is very important. Many pathological conditions, including those that are very dangerous to the life and health of children, cause a significant increase in the liver – hepatomegaly. For quite a long time, only the palpation method was used to determine the boundaries of this organ. Doctors still use it today during a clinical examination of a child. However, palpation of the liver and determination of boundaries by this method is only approximate. The true size of the organ can be determined only by using special instrumental types of examinations.

Currently, such instrumental tests include ultrasound examination. It is safe and does not cause any painful sensations to the child during the procedure. Usually, the duration of one examination is 20-25 minutes. The time of the ultrasound procedure usually depends on the qualifications and experience of the doctor conducting the examination, as well as on the emotional state of the child. If the baby is nervous or starts screaming and crying, this can significantly complicate the examination. Ultrasound is usually performed in a special darkened room. The baby lies on his back on a couch covered with a diaper. The doctor lubricates the sensor with a special gel and begins the examination. During the examination, the doctor can see all the pathological changes in the liver tissue, as well as determine the size of the liver boundaries.

Children as young as two years old are actively undergoing ultrasound examinations. There are specific clinical indications for ultrasound at younger ages.

There are special tables that indicate the normal values ​​​​for the size of a healthy liver. They are used by ultrasound diagnostic doctors working all over the world. The tables are compiled taking into account the age of the child. They allow doctors to evaluate the result obtained, and are also necessary for establishing clinical signs of hepatomegaly. The structure of the liver includes several anatomical formations – they are called liver lobules. Ultrasound allows you to establish the parameters of the right, caudate, left and square lobes of the liver. Also, with the help of this study, you can identify various pathological changes in all 8 segments. Ultrasound examination is also very effective for diagnosing various liver pathologies in newborns. In addition to the structure of the liver tissue, the ultrasound diagnostics doctor also conducts a visual examination of all anatomical organs located next to the liver. Experienced doctors can also assess the condition of the liver ligament system. Usually, the ligaments become visible when free fluid appears in the abdominal cavity.

The blood vessels supplying the liver are also examined by the physician during the examination. An extra Doppler mode is used for this.

The age parameters of normal liver sizes are currently shown in a plethora of different tables. One of them is shown below. The sizes of the liver’s left and right lobes are primarily used to determine the organ’s health. The baby’s age determines the parameters. When determining a clinical diagnosis, it is crucial to keep in mind that these indicators are approximations and should be thoroughly evaluated. The following table’s data displays the liver’s normal size (measured from the upper to the lower edge):

Preparation

Using ultrasonography, it is relatively simple to ascertain the liver’s precise borders and actual size. You can obtain the clearest and most trustworthy images of the internal organs thanks to the devices’ high resolution. Every day, hundreds of thousands of ultrasound examinations are carried out worldwide. When examining internal organs, it is crucial to take preliminary preparations in order to obtain accurate results. This is something that many parents overlook, which makes it difficult for ultrasonography diagnosticians to make a precise diagnosis. It’s not hard to prepare for an ultrasound and you can do it at home with ease.

The expulsion of gas from the intestines is the primary prerequisite for carrying out an excellent study. It makes it much harder to get a trustworthy result.

Gas-swollen intestinal loops prevent the doctor from fully examining the liver and all its anatomical components. In order to reduce gas filling, all foods that increase gas formation are removed from the baby"s diet a couple of days before the examination. These include: fruits and vegetables rich in coarse fibrous fiber, bread and pastries, carbonated drinks and kvass, milk, as well as various confectionery products. If the baby has chronic diseases of the digestive organs that cause severe gas formation, then you should consult with your doctor about what drugs should be used the day before the ultrasound procedure to reduce gases in the intestines. Usually, children are prescribed enzyme agents and enterosorbents. Before conducting an ultrasound examination, the baby should not conduct gastro- or fibrocolonoscopy.

Prior to the examination, a patient’s psychological state is also crucial, particularly for the younger patients. It is preferable to make the exam seem like a really fun game for young kids. It’s important to talk about the procedure’s execution with older kids, especially teens. It should be mentioned in the discussion that the child will not experience any pain during the examination and that it is completely safe.

Parents can feel more at ease knowing that their child’s development and health are proceeding as planned when they are aware of the typical liver size in children, as determined by ultrasound. Frequent examinations ensure that any possible issues are dealt with as soon as possible.

An ultrasound may not always indicate a major issue even if it shows that the liver size is larger than normal. This is frequently a transient problem that can be easily resolved under medical supervision.

For parents, maintaining a child’s general well-being requires constant education and close collaboration with medical specialists. Ensuring a healthy childhood involves more than just monitoring growth, including liver health.

To determine whether a child’s liver is developing normally and in good health, an ultrasound is frequently used. Although liver size varies with age and body size, physicians can identify possible issues by utilizing established norms. If the liver is not as big or small as expected, there might be a problem that needs to be addressed. Parents can feel more informed and at ease about their child’s health when they are aware of the typical liver size for their child’s age.

Video on the topic

Seminar on ultrasound of normal liver anatomy. Professor Gazhonova V.E.

ULTRASOUND OF THE GALLBLADDER AND PANCREATES FOR A CHILD 7 YEARS OLD.

Master class on the SonoScape S8Exp device. Lecturer Pykov M.I.